Golf Swing Training Device

ABSTRACT

A golf swing training device with a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them. The first and second fastening structures are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/717,738, filed on Oct. 24, 2012.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a device that assists golfers in developing a correct swing.

About 85% of golfers “slice” or pull the golf ball due to faulty swings. This causes higher scores, lost golf balls, and slower playing time, which all cause the player and golf course management less than desired results.

The “slice” is a shot that curves to the right (for a right-handed player). It is the most common fault in golf. The “slice” occurs because the golfer imparts some left to right sidespin to the ball in addition to backspin. This can be caused by hitting the ball with the clubface aimed to the right of the direction in which the club is being swung.

The fundamental cause of the slice is the clubface being open on impact, i.e., the clubface is open to the swing path (the direction the club head is traveling). Another way to put it is the clubface can be perfectly square to the target, but if it is cut across the ball (outside to inside), a slice will result.

If the club head is cut across the ball and the clubface is square to the swing path, the shot will pull to the left. If the swing is straight down the target line and the clubface is open (open to the swing path), the ball will take off straight and then slice. The goal during the swing is to have the club head travel straight down the target line (for the period just before impact, during impact and just after impact) with the clubface square.

SUMMARY

The purpose of the device is to alleviate the swing factors that cause a player to slice or pull a golf ball. The device helps to remedy the “outside to inside” swing path that can result in a slice or a pulled shot. The device includes two, 12 inch pointed posts. The posts are inserted into the turf. In this case 6 inches are in the turf and 6 inches are exposed. For use with a golf mat, the posts are replaced with two, six inch square, flat base pieces that are slid under the mat to support the two six inch posts above the mat. A rubber sheet (a fence) 6 inches high, 3 feet in length and 1/32 inches in thickness is removably attached to these posts. The attachment can be accomplished by a strip of hook material (i.e., the hook material of a hook and loop fastener system such as Velcro) 4″ long and 2 inches wide to each post, and attaching a strip of mating loop material (e.g., Velcro) 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, on each end of the rubber fence. This allows the ends of the fence to be removably coupled to the two posts. Other means of removably coupling the fence to the posts are also contemplated herein.

When stretched out in a straight line towards a target this constitutes a “fence.” The fence is placed parallel to the desired swing path and spaced just behind the ball. If the swing path is incorrect, the club head will contact the fence, giving feedback to the golfer. When the fence is very close to the ball it will prevent the golfer from swinging on an outside to inside path as the club head comes in contact with the “rubber fence” and disrupts the swing. Only when the club path is on an inside to inside path, the proper swing path, will the ball be struck correctly.

Training instructions will be included that will instruct the user to start with the fence located approximately eight inches behind the ball, and gradually move closer as the swing gradually is corrected.

Featured herein is a golf swing training device, comprising a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end, and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them. The first and second fastening structures are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts.

The posts may define a first section that is adapted to be pushed into the ground or located under a golf mat, and a second section that is located above the ground or mat and carries the second fastening structure. The first and second sections of the post may be adapted to be removably coupled together. The removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post may be accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post. The first section of the post may be pointed at its distal end. The first section of the post may alternatively comprise a flat plate that is constructed and arranged to be placed under a golf mat. The first and second fastening structures may comprise hook and loop type fabric.

Also featured herein is a golf swing training device, comprising a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end, and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them, wherein the posts define a first section that is pointed at its distal end such that it is adapted to be pushed into the ground, and a second section that is located above the ground and carries the second fastening structure. The first and second fastening structures comprise hook and loop type fabric and are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts. The first and second sections of the post may be adapted to be removably coupled together. The removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post may be accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post.

Also featured herein is a golf swing training device, comprising a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end, and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them, wherein the posts define a first section that comprises a flat plate that is constructed and arranged to be placed under a golf mat, and a second section that is located above the ground and carries the second fastening structure. The first and second fastening structures comprise hook and loop type fabric and are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts. The first and second sections of the post may be adapted to be removably coupled together. The removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post may be accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a golf swing training device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of a stake and a coupling sleeve.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled stake and post with coupling sleeve, ready to be pushed into the ground.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a fence.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side and top views of the base of a stake.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side and top views of the post of a stake.

FIG. 7 shows a golfer ready to use the device.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and side views of a base for use with a mat.

FIG. 9 shows a completed base and stake of FIG. 8 ready to be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Golf swing training device 10, FIG. 1, includes posts 12 and 14 and thin rubber sheet or “fence” 16. Fence 16 is constructed and arranged to be removably coupled to the posts by mutual fastening devices or structures. In this case the fastening structures are accomplished with hook and loop-type fasteners such as Velcro material. One part of the Velcro is coupled to the posts and the other part to the two ends of the fence. The part of the Velcro at the ends of the fence is preferably a strip of Velcro material that is sewn to the fence. Device 10 is placed parallel to the desired swing path close to ball B. Placement can be accomplished by correctly positioning the two stakes in turf “T” and then coupling the fence to the stakes. If the club head deviates from the correct swing path, it will strike fence 16; the fence thus provides tactile feedback of whether the swing plane was correct.

Stake 18, FIG. 2A, can comprise a first section 20 that is pointed at the end so it can be driven into the ground, and a second section 22 that carries the Velcro; the Velcro can be formed in the shape of a sleeve 30, FIG. 2B, that fits over section 22 (section 22 can be a cylinder or a post of another shape) to result in a stake and post 35, FIG. 3, that is ready to be pushed into the ground. The Velcro can also be another shape such as one or more strips that are fixed to section 22 such as by stapling. Fence 16 with Velcro strips 32 and 34, FIG. 4, can then be coupled to two assembled stake and post devices.

Section 22 can be made replaceable (in case it breaks) by including projecting peg 21 of base 20, FIG. 5A and 5B, that is sized and shaped to fit into recess 23 in post 22, FIGS. 6A and 6B. The pointed end can be made from flutes 20 a if desired (in this case four tapered generally planar flutes at 90 degree spacing) to assist with insertion into the ground.

For use with an artificial golf mat “M”, device 50 comprises posts 52 and 54 and fence 16, FIGS. 7 and 8. The post assemblies can be made as before but with a different first or lower section that comprises plate 62 that carries peg or post 64 that is received in cavity 23 of upper section 22 of the posts that carries the Velcro. Plates 62 are slid under mat M.

The sizes, shapes and materials are exemplary and are not limitations of the disclosed device. For example the posts can be metal, wood or plastic. The plates can also be metal, wood or plastic. The hook and loop fastener can be provided as strips or sleeves on the post. Also the dimensions shown on the drawings (in inches) are exemplary not limiting. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf swing training device, comprising: a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end; and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them; wherein the first and second fastening structures are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts.
 2. The golf swing training device of claim 1 wherein the posts define a first section that is adapted to be pushed into the ground or located under a golf mat, and a second section that is located above the ground or mat and carries the second fastening structure.
 3. The golf swing training device of claim 2 wherein the first and second sections of the post are adapted to be removably coupled together.
 4. The golf swing training device of claim 3 wherein the removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post is accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post.
 5. The golf swing training device of claim 2 wherein the first section of the post is pointed at its distal end.
 6. The golf swing training device of claim 2 wherein the first section of the post comprises a flat plate that is constructed and arranged to be placed under a golf mat.
 7. The golf swing training device of claim 1 wherein the first and second fastening structures comprise hook and loop type fabric.
 8. A golf swing training device, comprising: a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end; and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them, wherein the posts define a first section that is pointed at its distal end such that it is adapted to be pushed into the ground, and a second section that is located above the ground and carries the second fastening structure; wherein the first and second fastening structures comprise hook and loop type fabric and are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts.
 9. The golf swing training device of claim 8 wherein the first and second sections of the post are adapted to be removably coupled together.
 10. The golf swing training device of claim 9 wherein the removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post is accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post.
 11. A golf swing training device, comprising: a thin elongated rubber sheet with a first fastening structure on each end; and a pair of posts with a second fastening structure coupled to each of them, wherein the posts define a first section that comprises a flat plate that is constructed and arranged to be placed under a golf mat, and a second section that is located above the ground and carries the second fastening structure; wherein the first and second fastening structures comprise hook and loop type fabric and are adapted to be removably coupled together, to allow the sheet to be removably fastened to the posts.
 12. The golf swing training device of claim 11 wherein the first and second sections of the post are adapted to be removably coupled together.
 13. The golf swing training device of claim 12 wherein the removable coupling of the first and second sections of the post is accomplished with a peg in one section of the post and a peg-receiving recess in the other section of the post. 